Plastic cigarette container



Jan. 26, 1965 F. E. WILEY ETAL PLASTIC CIGARETTE CONTAINER 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 2'7, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 F. E. WILEY ETALPLASTIC CIGARETTE CONTAINER Jan. 26, 1965 Filed July 27, 1960 &\\ Q1:igglll I1 I '1' I '1' 1 4 a ooooocooaocc ooecooucouo no W as 0 M ne. 0fauna o $0 160. I

.OtlQQOOQOBOQOQOQ 0.9000000 ooooonooooooeeeo 00000900 8 32:22... .2 8..Z Z. M/

Jan. 26, 1965 F. E. WILEY ETAL PLASTIC CIGARETTE CONTAINER 4Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 27, 1960 Jan. 26, 1965 F. E. WILEY ETALPLASTIC CIGARETTE CONTAINER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 27, 1960 UnitedStates Patent "ce 3,1573% PLASTitC QEGARETTE CGNTAENER Fred Wiley,Longrneadow, Mass and Lliiiiord H.

Goldsmith, Ridgeheld, Conn, assignors to Philip Morris Incorporated, NewYork, N.Y., a corporation of Virginia Filed July 27, 196%, Ser. No.45,725 13 Ciaims. (6C2. 15tl.5)

The invention is concerned with plastic containers and particularly alight weight container adapted to serve as the original receptacle for abundle of cigarettes corresponding to the common package of twentycigarettes. The container is inexpensive and adapted therefore as athrowaway type and to replace in that respect the ordinary so-calledsoft package container in particular, and if desired the semi-rigid orhard box type.

The character of the container and the method of forming it are suchthat the container may be made rapidly in large quantities by a deepdraw operation in suitable dies despite the fact that the side Walls arestraight and parallel and have a vertical height which for so-calledking size cigarettes is in excess of three inches. Also the containershell is generally quite thin but varied selectively as to thickness atdiflerent areas or regions to provide the necessay functionalrequirements but with a minimum of material. The main panel sections ofthe body part, for example, are thin and flexible nearly comparable tothe combined Wrappers of an ordinary soft package, but the upper rimportion is thicker and correspondingly stilfer to maintain its shape andreceive and support better a cover part telescopically fitted thereover.Being thin the side walls are capable of being embossed in the drawingoperation to portray decorative designs, descriptive matter and otherdata commonly printed heretofore on the paper wrapper or cardboard box.On the other hand the embossing gives added desirable stiffness to thesidewalls relative to their thin character.

The generally rectangular shaped container is provided with a coverwhich includes a lid hinged to and integral with the cover whereby thelid is capable of being flexed open and reclosed at will, the lid havinga flange telescopically fitting over and around the top rim portion ofthe body part of the container. In this respect the cover and itsunitary lid embody an important feature of construction whereby openingof the lid causes the side flanges thereof automatically to flareoutwardly and thereby permit free closing of the lid without the flangescatching on the rim of the main cover but are caused to fit closelyagainst the rim when the lid is in its fully down or closed position.

Various other objects, features and advantages will be made apparent bythe description to follow and the illustrative examples depicted in thedrawings. The invention accordingly comprises a container embodying thefeatures of construction, and combination and relation of parts whichwill be exemplified in container articles hereinafter described, and thescope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. In theaccompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of a plastic container intended forcigarettes representative of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary edge view looking from the right in FIG. 1 butwith the hinged lid slightly elevated;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view on an enlarged scale takenon the plane 4-4- of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5a to 5e are largely diagrammatic views illustrating apparatus andsuccessive steps of a method for forming the container;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a container having a somewhat modified formof cover as compared to that of 3,167,104 Patented Jan. 26, 1965 FIGS. 1to 4 and adapted to illustrate a little more clearly the effect of theflanges of the lid flaring outwardly upon lifting the lid;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the top of the container of FIG. 6showing in broken lines the lid swung to an open position;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken on the plane 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 are views similar to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 respectively,but showing a further modified form of container cover;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of another form of container cover of simplesymmetrical form with particular advantages rendering it a preferredform in many cases;

FIG. 13 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the plane 13-13 ofFIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the plane l t--14 ofFIG, 12; and

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary view illustrating diagrammatically the eifectof the lid flanges flaring outwardly upon opening the lid.

A representative form of the container is shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. Itincludes a main body part 10, a cover part 11 telescopically fitted overthe upper end of the body part It) and a sealing strip 12 extendingaround the top area of the container and covering the joint line betweenthe body 10 and the cover 11 and adhesively secured in place. Thecontainer, and in particular the main body part, is formed with anembossed decorative exterior which in the present representative examplecomprises corrugations or ribbing 13 extending vertically, and the panelarea includes other decorative configuration such as the design shown at14 which may have in addition to decorative material any desired writtenmatter such as the name of the company or the brand of cigarettes. Thetop surface may also contain any desired decorative matter appliedthereto by an embossing operation such as the corrugation lines 15 andthe design indicated generally at 16. r

The cover in the present case is separately formed and as indicatedparticularly in FIG. 4 is telescopically fitted over a plain smooth topband portion 2% of the main body It), the band 26 being inset slightlyfrom the main panel section as indicated by the shoulder 21 an amountequal to the thickness of the side wall of the cover whereby theexterior side surfaces of the cover and of the main 7 body extend in acommon plane in each case. The cover 11 includes a hinged lid portion 22integral with the normally fixed portion 23,but adapted to be swungupwardly about a hinge area. The part 23 is permanently secured to thetop band portion 20 of the body 10 by suitable means such as adhesive orheat sealing. The lid 22, however, has a flange portion 24 which engagesover the top band 20 of the body it). As indicated in FIG. 3 the edgepanel of the body over which the outer end of the lid 22 extendspreferably has a cut out area 25 whereby the ends of the cigarettesadjacent that edge panel are exposed for ready removal. If desired thehinged lid 22 may have a suitable formation indicated at 26 which may beeither a depression or an outwardly extending boss which may be engagedby a thumb or finger more easily to open the lid. The relativedimensions may be made such that the outer flange portion 24a of the lidfrictionally engages the corresponding section of the band 20 of thebody part to hold releasably the lid closed but if desired detent meansmay be provided for the purpose. Such means may vary in character but inthe form shown in FIG. 3 it comprises protuberances 2'7 on the edgesurface of the band Ztl, and the lid 22 having correspondingprotuberances 28 adapted to engage thereover.

As above noted the cover 11 embodies as one integrally formed piece anormally fixed portion 23 and a hinged lid shape.

portions but it is of practical convenience to make them of equal sizeand the top symmetrical whereby the cover may be applied in either oftwo 180 degree positions. Accordingly in FIGS. 1 and 2 the grooves 30and 31 extend across the mid point. The design 16 comprises a bossportion defined by grooves 16a of generally elliptical Preferably thetop of the boss 16 is in the general plane of the top of the cover. Thegrooves 30 and 31 stop short of the center leaving an elevated area 32which in FIG. 2 is indicated as having an upper surface in the plane ofthe top of the boss 16. The shaping and character of the hinge area,including particularly the provision of the cross grooves 30 and 31 andthe boss portion 32 have an important function in serving to flareoutwardly the side flanges 24 of the lid adjacent the hinge when the lidis swung upwardly which prevents the rear bottom corners of the flangescatching on the top edge of the band 20 of the body part upon reclosingthe lid. This will be described more fully hereinafter in connectionwith some of the other figures such as FIGS. 6 to 8. For the present,however, it may be noted that this effect is in dicated in FIG. 3 insomewhat exaggerated form at 2412.

In order to permit the ready opening of the lid the side flanges areprovided with weakened lines at each side indicated at one side in FIG.1 at 33. These weakened lines may vary in character, and may comprisefor example simply heavily scored lines which will readily tear whenopening pressure is applied at the outer edge of the lid. Preferably thelower end of the line comprises a slit portion 33a in which case thescoring may be omitted at the upper end of the line 33 as with aninitial cut slit at the bottom, tearing will readily proceed to the topsurface when the lid is opened. The cut slit portion, however, shouldnot extend above the sealing tape 12 in order to maintain the air-tightmoistureproof character of the container.

An important feature of the present container resides in the fact thatit is formed of thermoplastic material by a deep draw operation and thefinal form, particularly of the body part 10, is characterized by beinggenerally thinwalled with certain variations, however, in the thicknessof the wall appropriate to the functional requirements of the container,the body part also embodying decorative surfaces derived from embossing.The thermoplastic material may be one of many commercially availablesuch as those based upon polystyrene, vinyl chloride or acetate,cellulose acetate or butyrate, ethyl cellulose, or polyethylene orpolypropylene. As essential characteristics the material in addition tobeing thermoplastic should be capable of deep drawing, have somestiffness when in thin sheet form, be elastic, odorless, capable ofbeing adhesively or otherwise laminated together, and preferablymoistureproof to a substantial degree. It will be understood that thebase material normally will have embodied therein or associatedtherewith other appropriate materials in accordance with commercialpractice. A particularly successful and practical thermoplastic materialfor the purpose is a polystyrene which preferably has incorporatedtherein a rubber compound grafted onto the molecule and also a pigmentof desired character and color. Polystyrene of the type employed issubject to acquiring a static electrical charge which attracts dirt anddust. This may be obviated or greatly reduced by passing the sheetmaterial through a water solution of a suitable detergent such as thedetergent sold under the commercial tradename Joy. A 1% solution hasbeen found suitable. Another pre-treatment which may be desirable insome second order of transition temperature.

a cases comprises coating the sheet material with a moistureproofingcompound.

FIGS. 5a to 5e illustrate in diagrammatic form an apparatus and methodfor forming the container main body part having the shape, dimensions,wall thicknesses, and other properties characterizing the container ofthe present invention. The plastic material in the form of a flat sheetS with a thickness of about .045 of an inch is clamped between a pair ofcarrier plates or frames and 41 having a central opening in which thesheet is exposed. The frame is then brought into association with aheating means which in the illustration of FIG. 5a comprises a pair ofsupports 42 and 43 arranged in spaced relation'with the sheet S betweenthem, and each support having an electrical resistance heating element44. The plastic sheet is heated to a temperature appropriate to theparticular material which in general will be above the For thepolystyrene material referred to above this means above about 180 F. andmore specifically about 250 F.

The frames 49, ill with the heated sheet S therein are then moved into adie forming means where, in the present method, it is subjected to acombination of mechanical and pneumatic drawing operations. The drawingmeans includes a cup shaped female die part 46 shown in FIG. 5b, thespace below the sheet being hermetically sealed in a suitable manner asby the rubber gasket means 46a located between the sheet support 41 andthe die cup 46. In accordance with the present method the pressure inchamber 47 may be increased or reduced as by means of a pipe 48,communicating with an intermediate fluid space 49 which in turncommunicates with the main space 47 by way of small holes 50. The latterholes are quite fine and appropriately spaced to perform an expansion ofthe plastic material when suction is applied at the space 4? in a laterstep.

The mechanical die forming means includes a vertically reciprocableplunger 54 which, as shown in the initial step of FIG. 5b, is broughtdown with the lower end adjacent to or in contact with the plastic sheetS.

FIG. shows the next major step. However, in order to illustrate bettercertain features, this view is a cross section taken at right angles tothat of FIG. 5b and therefore through the narrower dimension of the diemeans and the ultimate container. The plunger is shown as havingprogressed downwardly for a short distance. As the plunger engages thesheet S a positive pressure above atmospheric is created. This may beobtained by closing the conduit 48 and result from the reduction involume but in most cases it will be preferable to apply pressure by theaddition of air at 48. The pressure underneath sheet S causes it tobulge upwardly as shown at 55 away from the top surface of die cup 46producing advance stretching of the corresponding annular area whichwould not occur if the sheet were permitted at this early stage to beforced down into firm engagement with the top of the die cup. Theplunger in its narrower dimension preferably has parallel sides 54 for ashort distance from the bottom end upwardly, and is considerably thinnerat that area than the transverse dimension of the die cup 46 and theplunger sides then taper outwardly toward the top but the thicknessstill is substantially less than the corresponding dimension of the diecup.

Also, as shown in FIG. 5b, the bottom surface of the plunger 54 isshaped to provide a limited contact with the sheet S thereby to reduceany cooling effect and enable some creeping of the sheet around thebottom of the plunger and upwardly into the sides. For this purpose themid portion of the plunger 54 is depressed upwardly as shown at 56leaving two rounded corner portions 57.

Following the relation shown in FIG. 50 the plunger 54 continues on itsdownward movement to substantially the position shown in FIG. 5a wherethe end of the plunger is short of the bottom of the die cup 46 by a.paratus such as indicated in FIG. e.

small distance in the range of about A; to A of an inch. The upper endof the plunger 54 is provided with an enlarged forming plate 58 whichengages with the horizontal surface of the sheet S and compresses it.About the time the plunger 54 reaches the limit of its downward strokeas shown in FIG. 5d suction is applied through suitable means andappropriate conduits such as at the pipe 4% and the plastic material isquickly drawn into firm engagement with the interior walls of the diecup. The interior walls of the die cup are provided with suitableembossing formations appropriate to forming the decorative patterns anddata desired on the outer surface of the container. Such as thoseindicated and described in connection with FIG. 1. Adjacent the top ofthe interior surface of the die cup 46 there is also located an inwardlyprojecting flat annular area 59, about /3 of an inch in vertical width,defined by the shoulder 59a adapted to form the band 20 illustrated inFIG. 4 for example. The amount of the inward extension of the band 59corresponds substantially to the thickness of the annular flange 24 ofthe cover, to be subsequently applied. The sides of the containertherefore are in effect undercut relative to the band 59 and also otherportions of the side panel are undercut in accordance with the embossingand designs formed thereon. However, because of the thin flexiblecharacter of the walls of the ultimate container, no difliculty isencountered in removing it from the die cup at the appropriate stage. i

As a further step the formed container is withdrawn from the die cup andmoved to a suitable trimming ap- The trimming mechanism includes abottom die part 60 and an upper clamp plate 61 and a vertically movableshearing die or plunger 62. The plunger 62 has an annular shoulder 63which is moved downwardly into shearing relation with the annularshoulder 64 of the shearing die member 60 as indicated by the brokenline position 62 of the plunger whereby the waste horizontal flange areaof the sheet S is severed at a sharp line leaving the body part of FIG.1 with a smooth uniform top edge. It may be noted that the plunger 62has rounded lower corners at 65 and the opening in the clamp plate 61 isbeveled as indicated at 66 to aid in guiding the parts into appropiraterelation. Also the size and shape of the lower part 67 of the plunger issomewhat larger than the inner dimensions of the plastic container atthe area of the container corresponding to band and preferably istapered to allow easy entry into and expansion of band area 20 to firmlypress the outer edge of band 20 against the annular shoulder 64 which isalso somewhat larger than the unstretched outer dimension of band 20This expansion of band 20 by engagement of the lower portion 67 ofplunger 62 into shearing engagement with shoulder 64 is employed so thatthe greatest dimension parts of body 10 may be inserted through bottomdie part 60 allowing the waste horizontal flange area of sheet S to beengaged on top of bottom die part 60. Annular shoulder 64 need not be ofthe greatest dimension of body part 10 and the preferred dimension isintermediate that of the outer dimension of band 20 and the greatestdimension of body It) so that on insertion, collapse of body 10 iswithin the elastic limits of the body, and on expansion of band 20 intoengagement with annular shoulder 64, band 20 is stretched within itselastic limit. This arrangement makes possible the vertical shearing ofthe waste flange of sheet S Without permanently altering dimensions ofbody 10 and its hand 20.

The forming cup die 46 and the trimming die parts 60 and 62 may havespecial formations at the appropriate areas to define and produce thecut out portion of the container shown in FIG. 3.

The cover part 11 is likewise formed by a drawing operation in suitabledies but since the cover has less depth and there is no undercutting inthe sides it is a much simpler operation and may be performed purelymechanically. The'cover, conversely to the body part, is formed againstthe plunger or plug and hence the interior of the cover is smooth andaccurately to dimension, and adapted to fit precisely the exterior ofthe band 20 of the body part.

The thickness of the wall of the container is selectively controlled anddetermined by the various structural features and the method to producethe desired container described generally above in connection with FIGS.1 to 4. The relative distribution of the plastic material throughout thevarious regions of the container walls is an important feature. Thecontainer as a whole is very light weight and thin walled and contains aminimum of material and is intended to be a one time use or throw-awaytype. The wall thickness may vary somewhat but for best purposes theside panel area has a thickness less than .0l2of an inch and preferablyin a range below .010 of an inch particularly prior to the embossing.Ordinarily the thickness should not be less than about .005 of an inch,the thickness being exclusive of any ridges or projectionson the outersurface formed by the embossing. In this connection it is noted thatwhen the term average thickness is used herein, including the claims, itis intended to take into account the embossing effects and to mean theequivalent sheet prior to or Without embossing. The relative thinness ofthe material in the sides or panel sections is important in enabling theembossing to be effected. The upper band portion 20 is substantiallythicker than the side panel sections whereby the band 20 is somewhatstiffer and better adapted to support the cover and to resist permanentbending or crumpling of the top edge. in use. The thickness of the band20 should normally be above .010 inch and preferably about .012 inch atleast in thickness. The bottom area of the container body may have athickness generally similar to that of the side panels but preferably besomewhat .thicker for added strength and resistance to flexing. Thethicknesses of the cover areas correspond generally to those of the bodypart, but preferably the flange part 2.4 has a thickness of at least.012 inch to provide substantial stiffness, and a thickness at the hingearea in the range below .012 inch, as for example about .007 inch, toprovide greater flexibility and freedom from failure. The thicknessdimensions described above are particularly applicable to a polystyrenethermoplastic material.

The container is exceptionally light weight requiring very littlematerial for its size and relatively long dimension in the direction ofits vertical draw. For a container for a pack of 20 standard mm.cigarettes commonly referred to as King size, the body part of thecontainer is approximately 3% inches high, the width is about 2.13inches, and the dimension across the narrow side or edge isapproximately 0.9 inch. The total area of the sides and bottom thereforecomputes to approximately 22 square inches. The polystyrene materialheretofore mentioned as useful for the containers has a weight orspecific gravity of about 1.05 gm. per cubic centimeter and the weightof the body part for the 85 mm. cigarettes employing such material isapproximately 2.6 gm. or, stated in general terms, and allowing for somesmall variation in dimensions, and in the particular plastic employed,the weight is less than 3.5 gms.

The cover for the present container has a flange or skirt approximately0.46 inch wide and the total area of the top and flange compute toapproximately 4% sq. in. and the weight is approximately 1.0 gm. In aspecific but typical example the weight was 0.8 gm.

The total area of the container for 85 mm. cigarettes including the bodyand cover is approximately 26% sq. in. and the total weight less than4.5 gm, and in the specific example above mentioned the weight was about3.4 gm.

A so-called Regular size cigarette has a length of approximately 70 mm.which is substantially in excess of may end at the base of the boss.

"7 2 inches. The body part of a container therefor, made in accordancewith the present method and principles of the invention and havingsimilar wall thicknesses, has an .area of a little over 18 sq. inches,or, including the cover,

the total area is approximately 22% square inches. Speakving moregenerally the total area is in excess of 20 sq.

in. and the total weight is correspondingly somewhat less than that ofthe 85 mm. cigarette container.

In the assembly of the cigarette package the bundle of cigarettes is ofcourse inserted in the body part before the cover is applied. Thecigarettes may be prewrapped in a suitable paper such as glassine butbecause of the character of the plastic box including its high re-.sistance to moisture penetration the ordinary tin foil wrapper can beomitted. After the cigarettes are inserted the container has amplefirmness and ability to retain its shape to enable the ready applicationof the cover by automatic machinery including the securing of thenormally fixed portion 23 by suitable means such as adhesive or heatsealing.

As heretofore described the cover is so shaped and designed that uponopening of the lid 22 the side flanges particularly at the rear near thehinge flare or flex outwardly away from the band section of the mainbody. This is illustrated more clearly in connection with the simpleform shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. In this case the cover 11' has a hinged lid'70 and a boss or enlargement 71 in the top surface and scoring in theform of grooves 72 and 73 of substantial depth defining a hinge line.

Each side flange has a slit, extending upwardly a short distance fromthe bottom edge, that at one side being shown in FIG. 7 at 74. In FIGS.6 and 7 grooves 72 and 73 extend up the sides of boss 71 respectivelybut In either case they are interrupted by a central portion 75 having atop surface in the plane of the top of the boss and elevated above thesurface of the cover 11 in general. As the lid is raised the lines orgrooves 72 and 73 determine the bending or hinge line which extendsthrough the area 75. Consequently as the lid is swung upwardly to theposition 70' in FIG. 7, and normally on to a 90 position or further, themid portion of the lid at the area is depressed relative to the topsurface of the lid as indicated generally at 76 in broken lines in FIG.7. FIG. 8 shows in full lines the section at the hinge in the plane 8-8of FIG. 7 when the lid is closed, and in broken lines the correspondingsection or rear edge of the lid when it is raised to the broken lineposition 70' of FIG. 7, the broken line shape in FIG. 8 corresponding tothe plane 861-862 in FIG. 7. It will be noted that the flange parts 77and 78 remain substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the lidat the point of juncture therewith but because the central part of thelid at the section 8a is depressed as shown at 76 this causes theflanges 77 and 78 to be flared outwardly away from the sides of the mainbody part and accordingly when the lid is opened 90 or more and thenclosed the bottom edge, and particularly the rear corners such asindicated at 79 in FIG. 7, do not catch on the top edge of the bodypart.

A similar operation and result occur with the preferred form of covershown in FIGS. 1 to 3 as has been heretofore mentioned, the detaileddiscussion having been made in connection with the somewhat more simpleform of construction of FIGS. 6 to 8.

FIGS. 9 to 11 illustrate another form of cover which provides the samegeneral result. In this case the hinge line for the lid 8% is defined bya groove or score line 31 which is arc shaped in the plane of the top.The position of the groove 31 may be varied and correspondingly the sizeof the hinged lid 80. This form lacks the advantage, however, of thecover being reversible as to position since for the desired functioningthe mid portion 82 of the groove 81 must be convexed outwardly, towardthe opening edge of the lid. Each side flange has a slit 83 or otherweakening means to insure ready tearing upwardly to the hinge line 81;when the lid is pushed open. Because the central portion82 of the hingeline is bowed outwardly to the right, as the lid is swung upwardly, thearea around the point 82 is depressed relative to the top. surface ingeneral as indicatedfby the broken line 84 in FIG. 10. In use of thepackage to, extract a cigarette the lid 30 commonly will be opened atabout a 90 angle. FIG. 10 shows the lid in brokenlines at anintermediate position but the effect of the depressed area 84 is present.and becomes progressively greater as the lid is opened further. As inthe other forms of container cover, the net result is to cause theflanges to flare outwardly particularly at the rear corners and the lidmay be readily closed from a full opening of 90 or more without theflanges catching on the top edge of the container body. The effect isshown particularly in FIG. 11 where the full lines comprise a section onthe plane 1111 of FIG. 10 with the lid closed and the broken linescomprise a section on the plane 11a-11a of FIG. 10 with reference to thebroken line position 80' of the lid, the outwardly flared flanges beingindicated at 85 and 86.

FIGS. 12 to 15 depict a further form of cover 88 which functions in amanner generally similar to that of FIGS. 1 to 4 for example but hasfeatures which render it a preferred form in many respects. As indicatedin FIGS. 12 and 13 the cover is symmetrical about the middle transverseline 89. It has two elevated ridges 90a and 90b separated by a depressedtransversely curved middle zone 91. The top may have any desireddecorative pattern or legends, the present form being provided with fineserrations 92 extending longitudinally of the zone 91. A light or smallscore line may be preformed as shown at 93 to aid in defining the hingeline. Also a slit or weakened line 94 is provided in each of the twoside flanges at the hinge line as in the previously described forms ofcover. The form of FIGS. 12 to 14 can be drawn readily with the desireddistribution of plastic material. The flange or skirt areas have .athickness of .012 inch or more and as a result substantial stiffness andability to maintain their shape free of curling or other distortion. Onthe other hand the area at the hinge line 93 is drawn to a thicknessless than .012 inch such as about .007 inch or less whereby it will flexreadily without failure.

The two ridge areas 90a and 90b cause the flange portions 96 and 97 toflex outwardly respectively when the lid 98 is lifted similarly in thisultimate effect to the other forms. This is illustrated diagrammaticallyin FIGS. 13 and 15. As the lid 98 is lifted to the position indicated inbroken lines at 98' in FIG. 13 and on further beyond 90 the portion ofthe ridge 9012 at the hinge area bends downwardly as indicated at 99 inFIGS. 13 and 15. That causes the adjacent flange part 97 to flexoutwardly to the position indicated generally by a broken line at 97 inFIG. 15 as explained more fully in connection with the form shown inFIG. 8. A similar result occurs at the ridge 90a and flange portion 96at the opposite side of the lid.

Various other changes and different embodiments of the container couldbe made within the principles described or indicated in the foregoingand it is intended that all matter set out therein or shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

We claim:

1. A cup shaped container for a bundle of cigarettes of drawn seamlessthermoplastic material, said container being generally rectangular inhorizontal cross section with opposed generally flat straight verticalside walls having a height in excess of two inches, the height being ina ratio relative to the smallest transverse dimension of the rectangularshape of more than two and one-half to one, major areas of the sidewalls being embossed, said areas having an average thickness prior toembossing of less than .010 of an inch.

2. A container for a bundle of cigarettes having a cup-shaped body partwith sidewalls and an integral rim band at the upper edge, and a coverpart provided with a flange telescoping with said band, said body partbeing -a seamless single piece member composed of drawn thermoplasticmaterial, rectangular in cross section with opposed generally flatparallel sidewalls, said sidewalls having a height in excess of twoinches, the height being in a ratio relative to the smallest transversedimension of the rectangular shape of more than two and one-half to one,major areas of the sidewalls being embossed and the sidewalls having anaverage thickness prior to embossing of less than .010 of an inch, andsaid band being thicker in the range above .010 of an inch.

3. A cup-shaped container of drawn seamless single piece thermoplasticmaterial of substantial stiffness but elastic in deformation, saidcontainer having the shape of an oblong rectangle in cross section withopposed generally parallel side walls having a height in excess of twoinches, the smaller inside transverse dimension being no more than oneinch, and the ratio of the height to said smaller transverse dimensionbeing in excess of two and one-half to one, major areas of the sidewalls being embossed exteriorly, and the side walls having an averagethickness prior to embossing of less than .012 of an inch, and saidcontainer having a total weight less than 4.5 gms.

4. A cup-shaped container of drawn seamless single piece thermoplasticmaterial of substantial stillness but elastic in deformation, saidcontainer having the shape of an oblong rectangle in cross section withopposed generally parallel side walls having a height in excess of twoinches, the smaller inside transverse dimension being no more than oneinch, the larger inside transverse dimension being in excess of twoinches, and the ratio of the height to said smaller transverse dimensionbeing in excess of two and one-half to one, relatively large portions ofthe side walls being embossed exteriorly including transverselyextending outwardly raised areas, and the side walls having an averagethickness prior to embossing of less than .012 of an inch, and saidcontainer having a total weight less than 4.5 gms.

5. A cup-shaped container for a bundle of cigarettes of drawn seamlesssingle piece thermoplastic material with side walls and an integralbottom part, the Walls having substantial stiffness but elastic indeformation, said container having the shape of an oblong rectangle incross section with opposed generally parallel side walls having a heightin excess of two inches, the smaller inside transverse dimension beingno more than one inch, the larger inside transverse dimension being inexcess of two inches, and the ratio of the height to said smallertransverse dimension being in excess of two and one-half to one,relatively large portions of the side walls being embossed exteriorlyincluding outwardly raised areas, and the side walls having an averagethickness prior to embossing of less than .012 of an inch, the walls andbottom part having a combined area of at least 18 square inches, andsaid container having a total weight less than 4.5 gms.

6. A cup-shaped container for a bundle of cigarettes having side wallsand an integral flat rim band at the upper edge comprising an extensionof and being substantially parallel to the corresponding side walls,said container being composed of drawn seamless single piecethermoplastic material and having the shape of an oblong rectangle incross section with opposed generally parallel side walls having a heightin excess of two inches, the smaller inside transverse dimension beingno more than one inch, and the ratio of the height to said smallertransverse dimension being in excess of two and one-half to one,relatively large portions of the side walls below said rim band beingembossed exteriorly including outwardly raised areas, and the side wallsbelow said band having an average thickness prior to embossing of lessthan .012 of an inch and said band being generally thicker 1Q andstifler than the areas below the band, and said container having a totalweight less than 4.5 gms.

7. A cup-shaped container for a bundle of cigarettes having side wallsand an integral flat rim band at the upper edge comprising an extensionof and being substantially parallel to the corresponding side walls,said container being composed of drawn seamless single piecethermoplastic material and having the shape of an oblong rectangle incross section with opposed generally parallel side wall having a heightin excess of two inches,.the smaller inside transverse dimension beingno more than one inch, and the ratio of the height to said smallertransverse dimension being in excess of two and one-half to one,relatively large portions of the side walls below said rim beingembossed exteriorly including outwardly raised areas extendingtransversely of the height, the side walls below said band having anaverage thickness prior to embossing of less than .012 of an inch, saidband being inset a small amount with respect to the areas below to forma peripherally extending shoulder and an internal mouth section ofsmaller area than the cross section below the band, and said containerhaving a total weight less than 4.5 gms.

8. A container having a cup-shaped body part with side walls and anintegral fiat rim band at the upper edge comprising an extension of andbeing substantially parallel to the corresponding side walls, and acover part provided with a flange telesoping with said band, said bodypart being composed of drawn seamless single piece thermoplasticmaterial and having the shape of an oblong rectangle in cross sectionwith opposed generally parallel side walls having a height in excess oftwo inches, the smaller inside transverse dimension being no more thanone inch, and the ratio of the height to said smaller transversedimension being in excess of two and one-half to one, relatively largeportions of the side walls being embossed exteriorly including outwardlyraised areas, the side Walls below said band having an average thicknessprior to embossing of less than 0.12 of an inch, said band beinggenerally thicker and stiffer than the areas below the band, and beinginset a small amound with respect to the wall areas below to form aperipherally extending shoulder, and said body part having a totalweight less than 4.5 gms.

9. A container for a bundle of cigarettes of thin plastic sheet materialcomprising a body part and a top cover part having a first portionsecured to said body part and a hinged lid portion, said top cover parthaving a downwardly extending flange common to both said portions andextending from one into the other and telescoping over the top edge ofthe body part, and said two cover portions having a common integral topof the sheet material extending from one of said portions into theother, said cover having a groove extending across the top at amid-point adapted to define and constitute an area of decreasedresistance to flexing and form a hinge line for the lid, said groovebeing interrupted midway across the top by a raised area whereby openingof the lid causes the lid flange portions adjacent the hinge to flexoutwardly away from the body part.

10. A container for a bundle of cigarettes of thin plastic sheetmaterial comprising a body part and a top cover part having a firstportion secured to said body part and a hinged lid portion, said topcover part having a downwardly extending flange common to both saidportions and extending from one into the other and telescoping over thetop edge of the body part, and said two cover portions having a commonintegral top of the sheet material extending from one of said portionsinto the other, said cover having grooves extending inwardly fromopposed sides of the container between said portions to define andconstitute an area of decreased resistance to flexing and form a hingeline for the lid, said flange also having short slits extending upwardlyfrom the bottom edge at opposite sides of the container adjacent thehinge line but ending a substantial distance below the top of the l 1cover whereby the flange separates at vertical lines upon opening of thelid, and the top of the cover at the hinge line being shaped to causethe lid flange portions adjacent the hinge to flex outwardly away fromthe body part upon opening of the lid.

11. A container of thin plastic sheet material having a body part and atop cover, said body part having side wall and bottom portions and anupper rim band portion, said top cover part having a portion secured tosaid body part and a hinged lid portion, said lid having downwardlyextending flanges telescoping in lid closed position over said rim bandof the body part, and said two cover portio-ns having a common integraltop of the sheet material extending from one of said portions into theother said portion with an intermediate area adapted to define andconstitute a hinge line for the lid, the sheet material at said hingeline being shaped also to cause the lid flanges adjacent the hinge toflex outwardly away from the body part upon opening of the lid, and therear edges of the lid flanges adjacent the hinge line and the top edgeof said rim band being so shaped and related that the bottom rearcorners of the flanges remain below the top edge of the rim band for atleast 45 degrees of opening of the lid.

12. A container of thin plastic sheet material having a body part and atop cover, said body part having side wall and bottom portions and anupper rim band portion, said top cover part having a portion secured tosaid body part and a hinged lid portion, said lid having downwardlyextending flanges telescoping in lid closed position over said rim bandof the body part, and said two cover portions having a common integraltop of the sheet material extending from one of said portions into theother said portion with an intermediate area adapted to define andconstitute a hinge line for the lid, the sheet material at said hingeline being shaped also to cause the lid flanges adjacent the hinge toflex outwardly away from the body part upon opening of the lid, said rimband being of continuous uniform height at the sides of the container extending to substantially .the top of the cover part and said lid flangeshaving rear edges adjacent the hinge area at substantially right anglesto the top surface of the cover.

13. A container of thin plastic sheet material having a body part and atop cover part, said body part having side wall and bottom portions andan upper rim band portion, all of continuous seamless thermoplasticmaterial, said top cover part having a portion secured to said body partand a hinged lid portion, said lid having downwardly extending flangestelescoping in lid closed position over said rim band of the body part,and said two cover portions having a common integral top of the sheetmaterial extending from one of said portions into the other said portionwith an intermediate area adapted to define and constitute a hinge linefor the lid, the sheet material at said hinge line being shaped also tocause the lid flanges adjacent the hinge to flex outwardly away from thebody part upon opening of the lid, said rim band being of continuousuniform height at the sides of the container and extending upwardly tosubstantially said hinge line, and the rear edges of the lid flangesadjacent the hinge line being so shaped and related that the bottom rearcorners of the flanges remain below the top edge of the rim band for atleast degrees of opening of the lid.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS THERON E. CONDON,Primary Examiner. EARLE J. DRUMMOND, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 3,167,104 January 26, 1965 Fred E, Wiley et a1.)

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patentrequiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read ascorrected below.

Column 1, line 26, for "necessay" read necessary column 5, line 43, for"appropirate" read appropriate column 8, line 7, for "at" read to column10, line 27, for "telesoping" read telescoping line 38, for "0.12"

read .012 same column 10, line 40, for "amound" read amount Signed andsealed this 29th day of June 1965 (SEAL) Auest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. A CUP SHAPED CONTAINER FOR A BUNDLE OF CIGARETTES OF DRAWN SEAMLESSTHERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL, SAID CONTAINER BEING GENERALLY RECTANGULAR INHORIZONTAL CROSS SECTION WITH OPPOSED GENERALLY FLAT STRAIGHT VERTICALSIDE WALLS HAVING A HEIGHT IN EXCESS OF TWO INCHES, THE HEIGHT BEING INA RATIO RELATIVE TO THE SMALLEST TRANSVERSE DIMENSION OF THE RECTANGULARSHAPE OF MORE LIKE THAN TWO AND ONE-HALF TO ONE, MAJOR AREAS OF THE SIDEWALLS BEING EMBOSSED, SAID AREAS HAVING AN AVERAGE THICKNESS PRIOR TOEMBOSSING OF LESS THAN .010 OF AN INCH.